Defensive weapon and cartridge therefor



March 11, 1969 A. c. WARNER ETAL 3,431,853

DEFENSIVE WEAPON AND CARTRIDGE THEREFOR Original Filed Jan. 6, 1966Sheet of5 INVENTORS H4 BEAV 6T WZfl/mw ATTORNEYS March 11, 1969 A. c.WARNER ETAL 3,431,853

DEFENSIVE WEAPON AND CARTRIDGE THEREFOR Original Filed Jan. 6, L966Sheet 2 of #1 55 97- 6'. MH/YEA [YA/v70 .5. A7145 ATTORNEYJ Marchll,1969 A. c. WARNER ETAL 3,431,853

DEFENSIVE WEAPON AND CARTRIDGE THEREFOR Original Filed Jan. 6, 1966Sheet 3 of 0 19.45.5676? W e/vs ,j Man TONE 44 51v /0 ATTORNEYS March11, 1969 A. c. WARNER ETAL 3,431,853

DEFENSIVE WEAPON AND CARTRIDGE THEREFOR Original Filed Jan. 6, i966Sheet 4 QZz.

INVENTOR S mMQ ATTORNEXS March 11, 1969 c, WARNER ETAL 3,431,853

' DEFENSIVE WEAPON AND CARTRIDGE THEREFOR Sheet .5 of s INVENTORS H4 854r a b ie/v51? 1245 ATTORNEYfi 3,431,853 DEFENSIVE WEAPON AND CARTREDGETHEREFOR Albert C. Warner and Manton E. Allen, both of R0. Box 4486,Santa Fe, N. Mex. 87501 Original application Jan. 6, 1966, Ser. No.519,040. Di-

vided and this application May 17, 1967, Ser. No. 649,769

US. Cl. 102-39 5 Claims Int. Cl. F4211 13/46; F41c 3/0 ABSTRACT OF THEDISCLOSURE which is not greater than the outside diameter of the shell.

A propellant charge in proximity to the primer and a lachrymator chargeis disposed within the tubular shell.

This is a division of application Serial No. 519,040 filed Jan. 6, 1966,now Patent No. 3,352,046.

The present invention relates generally to defensive weapons and moreparticularly to an improved discharge device and cartridges therefor,for discharging and effectively dispersing a lachrymator such as teargas or other suitable irritant substances capable of temporarilyincapacitating assailants.

Tear gas discharge devices or tear gas guns, as they are commonly known,of the type contemplated by the present invention are employed forpurposes of self defense and comprise hand weapons which can beconveniently carried by an individual on their person, such as in apocket or purse, so as to be readily available for use. While suchpersonal tear gas guns are increasingly in demand by a self defenseconscious public alarmed with the burgeoning rate of violent crimes inmany, if not most areas, prior tear gas gun and cartridge constructionssuffer from various deficiencies and hence have not been completelysatisfactory.

Typically, such prior efforts include the so-called pocket or pen typetear gas guns wherein there is provided only a single cartridgecontaining a relatively small or light lachrymator charge which has onlya marginal deterrent effect over an extremely short range and severelylimited area. Thus, attainment of even the marginal protection affordedby such prior tear gas guns requires not only that the tear gas gun userbe undesirably proximate a would be assailant, but also an accuracy inthe direction or aiming of the lachrymator discharge toward suchassailants face which is diflicult, if not impossible, to achieve underthe exigencies of such situations. Moreover, the limited one shotcapability of such prior art devices obviously only further impairs thedeterrent potential thereof.

Prior efforts have also been made to provide larger lachrymator chargesas well as multiple shot tear gas guns such as are shown in expiredUnited States Patents No. 1,842,922 and No. 2,195,711. However suchother prior art efforts suffer from various drawbacks not the least ofwhich is their relatively complicated cumbersome constructions whichrender them not only costly to produce and difficult to assemble, butalso unsuitable for use by members of the general public.

In addition, it is of course obviously highly desirable that such teargas guns, which are to be used by the general public be able toeffectively discharge tear gas car- States Patent 0 l 3,431,853 PatentedMar. 11, 1969 tridges, but incapable of firing conventional live firearmammunition.

Accordingly, it is a principal object of the present invention toprovide an improved tear gas gun and tear gas cartridge construction.

Another object of the present invention is to provide tear gas gun andcartridge constructions which are relatively simple and inexpensive tomanufacture and which are capable of discharging and dispersing asubstantial lachrymator charge such as tear gas, over a relatively largerange and area.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a tear gas gunof compact, light construction which can be conveniently carried byindividuals so as to be readily available for purposes of self defense.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide an improvedtear gas gun construction which while capable of discharging asubstantial charge of lachrymator over a considerable range anddispersing the same over a relatively large area is incapable of firingconventionally available live ammunition.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a tear gashand gun of simple compact construction capable of firing immediatelysuccessive charges of a lachrymator such as tear gas so as to provideeffective protection over a wide area.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improvedcartridge construction which is simple and inexpensive to manufactureand able to safely contain and discharge a sufficient quantity of alachrymator such as tear gas to provide meaningful protection over arelatively large area.

A still additional object of the present invention is to provide a teargas hand gun and specially constructed tear gas cartridge therefor whichcan be manufactured and sold at a comparatively low cost and is moreefiicient and effective in operation than prior art devices.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a multiple shottear gas hand gun which can be conveniently carried by an individual forpurposes of self defense on his person and which is capable of firing aplurality of relatively large tear gas charges in rapid sequenceswithout reloading between discharges.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a tear gasgun construction which can be either multiple or single shot, and whichafter the initial load of tear gas has been expended, can be readilyreloaded.

Other objects and the entire scope of the present invention will becomeapparent from the following detailed description and by reference to theaccompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that thedetailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferredembodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only,since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope ofthe invention will become apparent as the description herein progresses.Reference is now made to the accompanying drawings which form a parthereof, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view partly in section of a breechloading tear gas gun embodying this invention, showing the trigger inthe forward position and the harm rner in position for the firing pin tooperatively engage a tear gas cartridge;

FIGURE 2 is a front elevational view of the tear gas gun shown in FIGURE1;

FIGURE. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the breech portionof the barrel of the tear gas gun shown in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of the face plate of thefiring pin housing of the tear gas gun shown in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the hammer andrevolving firing pin assembly of the tear gas gun shown in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary perspective view of the hammer and revolvingfiring pin assembly shown in FIG- URE 5 illustrating the movement of thehammer and firing pin during actuation of the trigger;

FIGURE 7 is a perspective view of a tear gas cartridge embodying thepresent invention;

FIGURE 8 is a side view in section of the tear gas cartridge shown inFIGURE 7;

FIGURE 9 is an elevational view of the dicharge end of the tear gascartridge illustrated in FIGURES '7 and 8;

FIGURE 10 is a side elevational view partly in section showing amodified form of the present invention;

FIGURE 11 is a front view of the muzzle end of the barrel of themodified form of the invention shown in FIGURE 10 with the muzzle plateremoved;

FIGURE 12 is a front elevational view of the muzzle plate utilized inthe modified form of the invention shown in FIGURE 11;

FIGURE 13 is a fragmentary perspective view of another modified form ofthe present invention;

FIGURE 14 is a front elevational view of still another modified form ofthe present invention showing the muzzle plate in loading position;

FIGURE 15 is a front elevational view of the modification illustrated inFIGURE 14 showing the muzzle plate in firing position;

FIGURE 16 is a fragmentary sectional side view taken along the line16-16 of FIGURE 15;

FIGURE 17 is a side elevational view of still another modified form ofthe present invention;

FIGURE 18 is a fragmentary front elevational view of the muzzle of themodified tear gas gun illustrated in FIGURE 17;

FIGURE 19 is a side elevational view of another modified form of thepresent invention;

FIGURE 20 is a fragmentary front elevational view of the modificationillustrated in FIGURE 19 with the muzzle plate removed;

FIGURE 21 is a perspective view of the muzzle plate utilized in themodification illustrated in FIGURE 19;

FIGURE 22 is a side elevational view in section showing a modifiedcartridge case construction embodying the present invention;

FIGURE 23 is a side elevational view in section of a tubular startingblank employed in forming the modified cartridge case constructionillustrated in FIGURE 22;

FIGURE 24 is a side elevational view in section of the cartridge caseblank at an intermediate stage in the formation of the modifiedcartridge case illustrated in FIGURE 22;

FIGURE 25 is a side elevational view in section of the base which isemployed in the modified cartridge case construction illustrated inFIGURE 22;

FIGURE 26 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the muzzle end of amultiple shot tear gas gun embodying another modified form of thepresent invention;

FIGURE 27 is a front elevational of the modified form of the inventionshown in FIGURE 26;

FIGURE 28 is a front perspective view of the modified muzzle plateconstruction employed in modified form of the invention shown in FIGURE26;

FIGURE 29(a-e) comprises a plurality of side elevational views of amodified sear construction according to the present inventionillustrating sequentially from FIG- URE 29(a) through FIGURE 29(e) theprogressive movement of the sear relative to the trigger during rearwardfiring movement of the trigger; and

FIGURE 30(a-e) comprises a plurality of side elevational views of aconventional sear construction illustrating sequentially from FIGURE30(a) through FIGURE 30(e) the movement of the conventional searrelative to the trigger during rearward firing movement of the trigger.

Referring now to FIGURES 1 and 2 of the drawings, there is shown amultiple shot, breech loading tear gas hand gun It) having a barrel 12includin a plurality of fixed cylindrical bores 14, 16, 18 and Ztl, eachof which is adapted to slidingly receive completely therein a rimlesscylindrical tear gas cartridge 22. The barrel I2 is integral with atrigger carrying frame 24 which is pivotally connected to a handle frame28 which operatively mounts a rotating firing pin assembly 36. Since thegeneral arrangement of the multiple bore breach loading barrel 12 andthe construction of the rotating firing pin assembly 30, as shown in thegun 10 of the present embodiment, is substantially similar to themultiple shot breech loading firearm construction illustrated in expiredUS. Patent No. 1,348,035 issued to Oscar F. Mossberg, the detaileddisclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, only a briefdescription of the barrel arrangement and rotating firing pin assemblywill be provided herein.

The trigger 32 is slidably carried by suitable guideways formed in theframe 24 for reciprocal movement longitudinally thereof and is normallyurged in the direction of the muzzle or front end of the gun 10 by asuitable spring means 34. The frame 24 is pivotally connected to theforward side of the handle frame 28 by means of a transverse pivot pin26 so that when the gun 10 is broken, as for purposes of loading, theframe 24 and trigger 32 will swing clear of the handle frame 28 and outof possible engagement with the rotating firing pin assembly 30 so as topermit access to the breech 36. The rotating firing pin assembly 30includes a hamrner 38 which is pivotally mounted at its lower end to thehandle frame 28 by suitable transversely extending pin means 40. Theupper end or head 42 of the hammer 38 rotatably carries the firing pin44. As best seen in FIGURES 4, 5, and 6, the firing pin '44 includes anenlarged flange portion 46 which carries at its forwardmost end face 48a longitudinally extending firing projection 50 which is adapted toextend forwardly through the aperture 52 in the face plate 54 and beyondthe forwardmost surface thereof into breech end of the bore with whichit is operatively aligned so as to operatively engage the primer 56 ofthe tear gas cartridge 22 when the hammer 38 is in its forwardmost orfiring position. At its rearmost end surface the flange portion 46 isprovided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced notches 58 whichcorrespond in number and circumferential or angular spacing to thenumber and angular spacing of the bores 14, 1-6, 18 and 20. The natches58 are each adapted to receive and operatively engage the upper end 60of an elongated dog 62 which is pivotally connected to the rear portionof the handle frame 28 by a suitable transversely extending pivot pinmeans 64. The engagement between the trigger 32 and the hammer iseffected by means of dog or sear 66 which is pivotally mounted on thehammer 38 by a suitable transversely extending pin means 68. Theforwardly facing free end of the sear 66 is adapted to engage arearwardly facing shoulder 70 carried by the trigger 32 when rearwardfiring movement is imparted to the trigger. Forward firing movement isimparted to the hammer 38 and hence the firing pin 44 by a suitablecompression spring assembly 72 disposed obliquely within the lowerportion of the handle frame 28. The spring assembly 72 is arranged sothat the lowermost end thereof 74 bears against the frame 28 and theuppermost end 76 pivotally engages the hammer 38 so that the spring 78will be resiliently compressed when the hammer 3 8 is pivoted rearwardlyby rearward firing movement of the trigger 32 and its reaction willrapidly urge the hammer forwardly when the sear 66 diseng-ages thetrigger 32.

The barrel 12 is releasably retained in firing position, as shown inFIGURE 1, by means of a suitable latch assembly 80. The latch assemblyincludes an elongated lever 82 which is pivotally carried as at 83 forvertical rocking movement by the top of the handle frame 28. At itsforward end, the lever 82 is provided with vertically extendingrearwardly facing shoulder means 84 adapted to interengage withforwardly facing upwardly extending shoulder means '86 carried by theuppermost surface of the barrel 12 when the same is in firing position.

Briefly, the action or operation of the gun is as follows. With thebreech closed so that the barrel 12 is in its firing position rearwardfiring movement of the trigger 32 will cause the shoulder 70 thereon toengage the forward end of the sear 66, as best seen in FIGURE 6, andswing or pivot the hammer 3 8 rearwardly about its pivot pin 40. Duringsuch rearward movement of the hammer 38, the uppermost end 60 of theelongated dog 62 engages within one of the notches 58 in the firing pin44 so as to impart rotation thereto and thereby align the firingprojection 50 with the next bore and the cartridge 22 therein to befired. When the hammer 38 reaches a predetermined rearward position,wherein the firing pin 44 has been rotated sufiiciently to achieve theaforementioned alignment of the firing projection 50 with a bore, therelative movements of the hammer 38 and trigger 32 will cause the dog 66to slip from and disengage the shoulder 70, thereby releasing the hammer38 which is rapidly thrown or snapped forward by the reaction of thecompression spring assembly 72 to thereby cause the firing projection 50to impact the primer of a cartridge 22 and effect firing thereof. Afterthe trigger 32 has been permitted to return to its forwardmost position,rearward movement or pulling of the trigger will effect a rotationalindexing of the firing pin 44 so that the firing pin 50 will be movedinto alignment with the next circumferentially succeeding bore andcartridge so as to effect the firing thereof.

As best seen in FIGURES 1, 2, and 3 of the drawings according to thepresent invention, each of the bores 14, 16, 18, and are identical andare of cylindrical form and of uniform diameter throughout their lengthwhich extends from the rearward face of the breech 36 to the muzzle 80of the barrel 12 and corresponds to the entire length of a tear gascartridge 22. In order to restrain the cylindrical tear gas cartridges22 against longitudinal movement within their respective bores 14, 16,18, and 20 and thereby both permit firing of the cartridge 22 under theforwardly directed impact of the firing pin 44, and prevent expulsion ordischarge of the casing of the cartridge 22 from gun 10 on the firingthereof, an apertured muzzle plate 90 is permanently secured to muzzle88. The apertured muzzle plate 90 which may be made integral with thebarrel 12 or attached thereto by suitable joining or fastening means,such as welding, rivets, screws or the like, includes a plurality ofapertures 92, 94, 96, and 98 'which correspond in number to and are inaxial alignment with the bores 14, 16, 1 8, and 20, respectively. Eachof the apertures 92, 94, 96, and 98 are, as best seen in FIGURES 1 and2, provided with at least one bore obstructing retaining portion 92a94a, 96a, and 98a, respectively, which serve to positively engage theforwardmost end edge 100 of each tear gas cartridge 22 and therebyrestrain the same against forward movement longitudinally of the bores14, 1'6, 18, and 20. Although it is not essential to the presentinvention, if desired, the apertures 92, 94, 96, and 98 may bedimensioned so as to be generally slightly smaller than the diameter ofthe bores 14, 16, 18, and 20 so as to provide a generally annularcartridge engaging rim or shoulder 102 throughout their remainingperiphery. However, the provision of the retaining portions 92a, 94a,96a, and 98a at the lowermost portions of the muzzle end of each bore ispreferred for reasons to be more fully set forth hereinafter.

Referring now in particular to FIGURES 7, 8 and 9 of the drawings, thetear gas cartridges 22 of the present invention will be seen to comprisea shell formed by a cylindrical tubular member 104 into one end of whichthere is inserted, unde a force fit, a primer 56 which in theillustrated embodiment is of the rim fire type. It will, of course, beobvious to those skilled in the art that the primer 56 can be of thecenter fire type, which, of course, would simply require the use of anappropriately configured and positioned firing projection 50 on thefiring pin 44 to firingly engage the percussion cap of a center fireprimer. While the tubular case 104 can be formed of any suitable rigidmaterial, aluminum tubing having a wall thickness of 0.020 inch or morehas been found particularly suitable when a .32 caliber rim fire primeris employed. As will be seen most clearly in FIGURE 7, the maximumoutside diameter of the cartridge 22 is defined by the outside diameterof the cylindrical shell member 104 so that the cartridge 22 presents asmooth cylindrical surface throughout its length, free of any radiallyprojecting rims such as are employed in conventional cartridgeconstruction and as those shown in the aforementioned US. Patents No.1,842,922 and No. 2,195,71 1. While it has been previously indicatedthat the cylindrical portion 106 of the primer 56 may engage theinterior of the tube with a force fit, a suitable adhesive material maybe employed intermediate the primer 56 and the overlapping interiorsurface of the tubular shell 104 to effect a bond therebetween. Inaddition, while in the embodiment of the cartridge 22 shown in FIGURES 7and 8 the radially outermost peripheral edge of annular base rim 108 ofthe primer 56 is shown as being flush with the outside cylindricalsurface of the tubular cartridge shell 104, it will be clear that therim 108 may terminate radially inwardly of the outer surface of theshell 104.

In addition to the primer charge, the tubular cartridge shell 104contains in the following order from the primer 56 toward the oppositeor discharge end of the cartridge 22, a charge comprising: suitablepropellant charge 110 such as black powder; a separator means or wad112; a suitable lachrymator charge 114, such as 12 grains of tear gaspowder; and a suitable sealing wad 116. Optionally, a small amount offluorescent micron powder 118, such as the type disclosed in US. PatentNo. 3,084,466, which is adapated to fiuoresce under exposure toultraviolet light from a suitable source, may be included in thecartridge charge and is preferably interposed between the lachrymatorcharge 114 and the sealing wad 116.

When the tear gas cartridge 22 is positioned for firing within a bore,such as the bore 20, as best seen in FIG- URES 1 and 3, the forwardmostend edge 100 of the cartridge case 104 will abut the retainingprojection 98a of the muzzle plate and the rearmost end surface of theprimer 56 will be substantially fiush with the breech end of the bore20. When the cartridge 22 is fired by the striking of the firingprojection 50 of the firing pin 44 on the rim fire primer 56, thefulminating charge within the primer 56 is exploded and ignites thepropellant charge 110. The propellant charge 110, as soon as it isignited, operates as a propellant for the lachrymator 114 and as aresult of the pressure and heat which is produced by ignition of thepropellant charge, gasifies the lachrymator 114. The explosive force ofthe propellant charge, in addition to causing a violent discharge andwide dispersion of the lachrymator, discharges the sealing wad 116 fromthe cartridge 22 and the bore 20 through the aperture 98 in the muzzleplate 90. In passing through the aperture 98 of the muzzle plate 90, thesealing wad engages, or is tripped by, the retaining projection 98awhich imparts a tumbling motion to the wad and thereby causes the wad tofollow a deteriorating trajectory and drop to the ground at only arelatively short distance from the muzzle of the gun 10.

While in the embodiment of the tear gas cartridge just described, thelachrymator charge 114 is illustrated as comprising a charge of suitabletear gas powder, the lachrymator charge 114 can comprise a suitablelachrymator substance in liquid form which is encapsulated in rupturablecontainer, such as is illustrated in US. Patents No. 1,517,554; No.1,750,101 and No. 2,204,085, the disclosures of which are incorporatedherein by reference, which ruptures and discharges the liquidlachrymator upon firing of the cartridge 22.

When the tear gas cartridge 22 within the bores 14, 16, 18, and 20 havebeen expended from the gun 10 by firing, the latch means 80 is actuatedto permit the gun 10 to be broken in the manner described in theaforementioned Mossberg Patent No. 1,348,035, and thereby permit theremoval of the expended tear gas cartridges and the reloading of thebores with live tear gas cartridges 22.

Referring now to FIGURES 10, 11, and 12 of the drawings, there is showna modified form of multiple shot tear gas gun 210 embodying theinvention. The construction of the gun 210 differs from that of the gun10, just described, in that the multiple bore barrel 212 and triggerframe 224 are integral with the handle frame 228, there being no pivotalconnection therebetween, and the apertured muzzle plate 290 is movablyattached to the muzzle end of the barrel 212 so as to permit muzzleloading of the bores 214, 216, 218, and 220. While, as will be apparentto those skilled in the art, various releasable attachment means can beemployed for securing the muzzle plate 290 to the muzzle end of thebarrel 212, there is illustrated herein a simple fastening meanscomprising a projection means 202 having a radially extending flange orhead 203 and a spring loaded ball detent assembly 204 carried by themuzzle end of the barrel 212 which are adapted to operativelyinterengage with the muzzle plate 290 and thereby retain the same infiring position on the muzzle end of the gun 210. To this end the muzzleplate is provided with a centrally disposed aperture 206 having anenlarged portion 208 and a smaller or reduced portion 209. The enlargedportion 208 of the aperture 206 is of a size larger than the head 203 ofthe projection means 202 so as to permit the same to pass therethroughwhile the size of the reduced portion 209 is smaller than the head 203.The inner face of the muzzle plate is provided with a recess 211 whichis adapted to releasably receive the ball member 213 of the detentassembly 204, which is resiliently urged into engagement therewith bythe spring means 215, when the projection means 202 is positioned withinthe reduced portion 209 of the aperture 206 and the muzzle plate is inoperative firing position on the muzzle end of the barrel 212. In orderto load the gun 210, it will be seen that it is only necessary to removethe muzzle plate 290, by sliding the same downwardly, relative to thebarrel 212 so as to align the enlarged portion 208 of aperture with theretaining head 203 of the projection 202. Once the cartridges 22 havebeen inserted, primer first into each of the bores 214, 216, 218, and220, the muzzle plate 290 is reassembled to its firing position on themuzzle end of the barrel 212 as shown in FIGURE 10, and the retainingprojections 292a, 294a, 296a, and 298a will thereafter function in amanner similar to the retaining projections 92a, 94a, 96a, and 98adescribed hereinabove by reference to the gun 10 shown in FIGURES 1 and2.

Referring now to FIGURE 13 of the drawings, there is shown anothermodified form of a movable muzzle plate 390 movably mounted on a teargas gun barrel 312 embodying the invention. The construction of themovable muzzle plate 390 differs from the movable muzzle plate 290previously described in that it simply comprises a rectangular metalmember rotatably mounted, by suitable pin means 393, at the muzzle endof the barrel 312. When in the firing position as illustrated in FIGURE13, the corners 391 partial-1y obstruct each of the bores 314, 316, 318,and 320 so as to operatively engage the forwardmost end edge of the teargas cartridges 22 therein and thereby restrain the same againstlongitudinal movement relative to the bores. In order to effect muzzleload ing of the barrel 312, it is simply necessary to rotate the muzzleplate 390 so as to move the corners 391 thereof out of bore obstructingposition, i.e., to a position wherein the corners 391 overlie theportions of the barrel 312 intermediate the bores 314, 316, 318, 320, asshown in dotted lines in FIGURE 13.

Referring now to FIGURES 14, 15, and 16 of the drawings, there is showna further modified form of a multiple bore barrel 412 having a movablemuzzle plate 490 embodying the present invention. The barrel 412 differsfrom the barrel 312 just described in that the barrel 412 has sixcylindrical bores 414 ,416, 418, 420, 422, and 424 which, in the firingcondition as shown in FIGURE 15, are partially obstructed by the cornersor apices 491 of the hexagonally-shaped muzzle plate 490 As in theembodiment just described by reference to FIG- URE 13, the corners 491,engage the forwardmost end edge of each cartridge 22 within the bores soas to prevent longitudinal movement thereof during firing. In order toremove expended tear gas cartridges and reload the bores 414, 416, 418,420, 422 and 424 with live tear gas cartridges 22, it is simplynecessary to rotate the hexagonal muzzle plate 490 so as to position thecorners 491 thereof intermediate the bores. As best shown in FIGURE 16,the hexagonal muzzle plate 490 may be rotatably mounted at the muzzleend of the multiple bore barrel 412 by means of a pin member 402 whichextends longitudinally of the barrel intermediate the bores thereof.

Referring now to FIGURES 17 and 18 of the drawings, there is shownanother modified form of a tear gas gun 510 embodying the invention. Theconstruction of the gun 510 differs from that of the gun 10 previouslydescribed by reference to FIGURES 1 and 2, in that it is of a singleshot breech loading construction and to that end has a barrel 512 havingonly a single tear gas cartridge reeciving bore 514 and an integralmuzzle plate 590 having a single aperture 592 with a retainingprojection 592a. Of course, since the gun 510 is of single shotconstruction, the firing pin assembly 530 can be of a non-rotating ornon-indexing construction.

Referring now to FIGURES 19, 20, and 21 of the drawings there is shown afurther modified form of tear gas gun 6'10 embodying the invention. Theconstruction of the gun 610 differs from that of the gun 210,aforedescribed by reference to FIGURES 10, 11, and 12 of the drawings,in that the muzzle loading gun 610 is of a single shot construction andto that end has a barrel 612 provided with a single cylindrical tear gascartridge receiving bore 614 and a movable muzzle plate 690 having asingle aperture 692 therein movably attached to the muzzle end of thebarrel 612 and operatively alginable with the bore 614 therein. Theretaining projection 692a functions in an identical manner to theretaining projections on the previously described muzzle plateconstructions to engage the forwardmost end edge of the tear gascartridge 22 and thereby restrain the cartridge against forwardlongitudinal movement during the firing thereof.

Referring now to FIGURES 22, 23, 24, and 25 of the drawings there isshown a modified two-piece cartridge 722 embodying the invention. Thecartridge 722 comprises a cylindrical tubular shell member 724 which cansimply be cut to the desired length from a length of extruded metaltubing such as steel, aluminum or brass and a metal primer base 726which can be formed to the illustrated shape from metal bar stock ofsteel, aluminum or brass, by any suitable metal working techniques suchas coining or in an automatic screw machine. As best shown in FIGURE 25the primer base 726 includes a body portion 728 having an exteriorlycylindrical surface corresponding generally in diameter to the insidediameter of the tubular shell 724. The forward or leading end of theprimer base 726 is provided with an annual axially forwardly projectingrim or flange 730 which, together with the body 728 of the primer base,defines a generally cup-shaped recess 732 opening axially outwardly ofthe forward end of the primer. Adjacent its other end, or base, theprimer body 728 is provided with an annular groove 734 defined by aconical surface section 736 of the body 728 which tapers radiallyinwardly toward the rear or base end of the primer so as to merge withthe radially outwardly extending annular base flange 738 thereof.

The primer base 726 is inserted into one end of the tubular shell 724 sothat the end portion 740 thereof overlies the annular groove 734 in theprimer base 726. Thereafter the tubular end portion 740 is crimpedradially inwardly into the annular groove 734 and into engagement withthe underyling conical surface 736 to effect assembly of the primer base726 to the'tubular shell 724. The primer base 726, as is conventional,is provided with a suitable, centrally disposed axially extending bore750 which is adapted to receive a conventional fuse cap or percussioncap (not shown).

When the cartridge 722 is fired, the explosive forces acting radiallyoutwardly (as shown by arrows in FIGURE 22) within the cup-shaped recess732 will tend to deform the annular flange 720, radially outwardly intofirmer sealing engagement with the overyling inner cylindrical surfaceportion of the tubular shell 724. If the cartridge 722 is to be employedas a tear gas cartridge for use in the aforedescribed tear gas gunconstruction, it it of course necessary to ensure that the outwardradial extent of the primer base flange 738 does not exceed the maximumoutside diameter of the tubular shell 724. However, in the event it isdesired to employ the construction of the cartridge 722 for ballisticpurposes in conventional firearms, the primer base flange 738 can bedimensioned so as to project radially outwardly beyond the outsidediameter of the tubular shell 724, as shown by dotted lines in FIGURE22. In this regard when it is desired to employ the cartridge 722 forballistic purposes in conventionally chambered firearms, the tubularshell 724 may be formed to the shape indicated at 752 in FIGURE 24. Theshaping of the cylindrical tubing 724 to a shell having theconfiguration indicated at 752 in FIGURE 24 can be accomplished byinserting the tubular shell 724 in a suitable die means (not shown) andexpanding the tube 724 to the conventional shell form indicated at 752.

In this latter case the completed cartridge case would vary from theconfiguration of the cartridge 722 aforedescribed as shown by the dottedlines in FIGURE 22.

While for the purposes of illustrating the various embodiments of theinvention, considerable reference has been made to the multiple shot,rotating firing pin construction illustrated in US. Patent No. 1,348,035it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that othersuccessively indexing or rotating firing pin constructions can beemployed. In addition it is appropriate to note here that when themultiple shot tear gas gun construction illustrated herein is employed,a safety mark M may be provided on the trigger 32 at the appropriatelocation, as best shown in FIGURE 1 of the drawings. The safety mark Mcomprises a line or other indicia located about midway between theleading edge of the trigger 32 and the rear edge E of the trigger guard,i.e., the line M is located at a distance from the rear edge E oftrigger guard which corresponds to one half the dis tance the trigger 32must be moved rearwardly to effect a complete indexing of the firingprojection 50 from one bore to the next bore in firing succession. Thus,when the trigger 32 is pulled back only far enough to align the safetymark {M with the rear edge E of the trigger guard and then released, thefiring projection 58 will have rotated only part of the necessaryindexing distance and will be aligned and engaged with a web portion Wof the barrel 12 which lies intermediate the bores 14, :16, 18, and 20,as best seen in FIGURE 3, and thus be in a safe condition.

Referring now to FIGURES 26, 27, and 28 of the drawings there is shownanother modified form of a movable muzzle plate means or muzzle screw880 removably mounted in a threaded blind hole or socket 808 at themuzzle end 888 of a multiple bore tear gas gun barrel 812 embodying theinvention. Preferably, the cylindrical cartridge receiving bores 814,816, 818, and 820 are uniformly angularly, spaced from one anotherabout, and uniformly spaced from, the central longitudinal axis xx ofthe barrel 812. As best seen in FIGURES 26 and 28 the muzzle screw 890comprises a threaded cylindrical shaft portion 892 which terminates atone end in an enlarged generally circular head 894 having a knurledexterior gripping surface 891 to facilitate gripping of the muzzle screwduring its assembly with, and removal from, the socket 888 of the barrel812. At its other end the shaft 892 terminates in an axially extendingunthreaded pilot portion 896 of reduced diameter which facilitatesoperative alignment and interengagement of the threads on the shaft 892with the mating threads on the interior of the threaded socket 808. Asshown in FIGURE 26, the depth or axial extent of the threaded socket 808is sufficient to permit the threaded shaft 892 and the pilot 896 of themuzzle screw 890 to be completely received therewithin so that theenlarged head 894 thereof will firmly abut or engage the end face of themuzzle 888 when the muzzle screw 890 is operatively assembled andtightened within the socket 808 of the barrel 812. Since the socket 808is concentric with the central longitudinal axis xx of the barrel 812and the radius of the enlarged circular head 894 of the muzzle screw 890is greater than the minimum radial spacing of the bores 814, 816, 818,and 820 from the axis xx, when the muzzle screw 890 is assembled in itsfiring position at the muzzle end 888 of the barrel 812 as shown inFIGURES 26 and 27, the enlarged head 894 will partially obstruct muzzleend of each of the bores so as to operatively engage the forwardmost endedge of each of the tear gas cartridges therein and thereby restrain thesame against longitudinal movement relative to the bores.

In order to effect muzzle loading of the bores 814, 816, 31.8 and 820 ofthe barrel 812, it is simply necessary to unscrew and remove the muzzlescrew 890 from the threaded socket 808 and insert the cartridges 22Within the bores. Thereafter, of course, in order for the gun to beplaced in firing condition, the muzzle screw 8% must be replaced bybeing threaded into the socket 808 until the enlarged head 894 firmlyabuts the end face of the muzzle 888 of the socket 812.

It will thus be seen that the objects of this invention have been fullyand effectively accomplished. It will be realized, however, that theforegoing specific embodiments have been shown and described only forthe purpose of illustrating the principles of this invention and aresubject to extensive change without departure from such principles.Therefore, this invention includes all modifications encompassed withinthe spirit and scope of the following claims.

We claim:

1. A cartridge for discharging and dispersing a lachrymator by means ofa device of the character described comprising in combination: anelongated tubular shell member having a cylindrical exterior surface ofuniform diameter substantially throughout its length; a rim fire primerincluding a firing means carried by said tubular shell member at one endthereof, said primer comprising a cylindrical portion disposed withinsaid one end of said tubular shell so as to be in retaininginterengagement with the interior surface thereof and a radiallyoutwardly extending annular base rim exteriorly adjacent and abuttingsaid one end of said tubular shell member, said base rim having amaximum diameter greater than said cylindrical portion of said primerbut not greater than the diameter of said exterior cylindrical surfaceof said tubular shell member; a propellant charge within said tubularshell member in proximity to said primer; a lachrymator charge 1 1disposed within said tubular shell member between said propellant chargeand the other end of said tubular shell member and a sealing waddisposed within said tubular shell member between said lachrymatorcharge and said other end of said tubular shell member.

2. The structure defined in claim 1 wherein the cylindrical portion ofthe primer has an outside diameter substantially equal to the insidediameter of the interior surface of the one end portion of the tubularshell member with which it is interengaged.

3. The structure defined in claim 1 wherein the primer is secured to thetubular shell member by adhesive means.

4. The structure defined in claim 1 wherein a suitable marking agentcharge is disposed within the tubular shell member intermediate thesealing wad and the propellant charge.

5. The structure defined in claim 1 wherein the portion of the primerinnermost of the one end of the tubular shell member includes an annularaxially extending deformable flange which will be increasingly urgedinto interengagement with the interior surface of said tubular 1.2.shell member by the explosive forces generated interiorly of saidcartridge during the firing thereof.

References Cited ROBERT F. STAHL, Primary Examiner.

US. Cl. X.R.

